immigrantscanada.com

Independent topical source of current affairs, opinion and issues, featuring stories making news in Canada from immigrants, newcomers, minorities & ethnic communities' point of view and interests.

Nikki Huang: Hour Days and Markham Resident

nikki huang: Nikki Huang says she often worked 10-hour days, received no training on the use of potentially hazardous products and was shortchanged on her wages while working in GTA nail salons, according to Toronto Star. Rene Johnston / Toronto Star For rights at work, I would say the employer probably prefers the employees didn't know much about it, says the 28-year-old Markham resident. During that time, she says she often worked 10-hour days, received no training on the use of potentially hazardous products and was shortchanged on her wages to the tune of 3,000 by her last employer. That is what the Nail Technicians' Network is now seeking to change emulating successful efforts in places like California to organize low-wage immigrant women and encourage safer working conditions. There are over 1,120 licensed nail salons in the Toronto area. The initiative was born out of the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre's nail salon workers project, launched in 2013 to identify and tackle health concerns including exposure to toxic substances with links to a range of health conditions such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, neurological damage and reproductive issues. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.